Lessons in Disruptive Innovation
We are witnessing disruptive innovation in world events in real time. Can you recognize it?
An off-schedule post
This is an off-schedule post. That means something different or interesting is going on that warrants paying attention to. So, my friends, read on to find out more!
Introduction
I’ve written often about the power of disruptive innovation and how it can help you advance your career and life. It’s part of the Afterburner Success Partners course and in my book Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life. One uses disruptive innovation to do what needs to be done or to get what one needs. I’ve also written about how, unless you are very careful, it can not only blow up an organization but also your career or your life. It can greatly help or greatly hurt. Let’s explore this phenomenon and discuss how it is happening all around us on a daily basis and we may not even know it. Let’s see how it is impacting not only business, but our home life and local, national, and world events as we watch in awe.
What is disruptive innovation?
What I’m going to do now is give you the textbook definition of disruptive innovation. Then, I’m going to give a few examples of what disruptive innovation is in a couple of categories. Note: These are “The world according to Dave” examples. You can accept or reject them. You can then decide whether my statement at the top that we are witnessing it in world events in real time is true.
My goal with this post is to get you thinking about what you see around you in various aspects of your daily life: whether you see value in what surely appears to be disruptive innovation, or if you just see chaos. There are no right or wrong answers, in my opinion, and you are free, obviously, to decide if you see disruptive innovation as something you may wish to consider. Or run from. As fast as you can. Here is the definition:
Disruptive innovation: Innovation that creates a new market and value network or enters at the bottom of an existing market and eventually displaces established market-leading firms, products, and alliances. In theory, disruptive innovation makes it hard for leading firms to stay at the top of their industry. The term "disruptive innovation" was popularized by the American academic Clayton Christensen and his collaborators beginning in 1995 (Note 1).
Disruptive innovation is clearly a business tool. Need more evidence? Click on the links in Notes 2 and 3.
Disruptive innovation in business
Common examples of disruptive innovation in business are all around us. We see it daily, but because the term “disruptive innovation” is not common, we may not recognize these examples as such. Some of them have been around a long time now, and as I list them, you will recognize them: Amazon, Tesla, Netflix, Uber, DoorDash. Many IT companies completely changed the world when they came out, such as Microsoft and Apple. What about the automobile and the airplane? Artificial Intelligence is a business disruptor that is just now playing out. All these organizations either developed and brought new products to market or upended traditional markets.
If you think about these companies and products and then reread the definition of disruptive innovation, it becomes apparent that, in what seemed like overnight, a new product or service appeared that was not there previously. In many cases, these disrupters became mainstream. I remember the first “portable” computer I ever saw in the 1980’s, a Kaypro, that was the precursor to the laptop and was as big and heavy as a full-sized suitcase. Today, laptops and even tablets are common tools for both business and home use. Many people today cannot even remember the time when, if you needed a ride from the airport, you just called or hailed a taxi. Today, few taxis are around, replaced mostly by Uber and Lift.
New products, many of them disruptors, will come to market in the future. Interestingly, many of the disrupters will be disrupted themselves. Now that’s an interesting thought, isn’t it?
Let me give you another business example to think about. Have you ever seen a strike or work slowdown by a group of employees? How about a picket line? These are examples of disruptors speaking and acting out to get their way when they could not negotiate a favorable outcome through traditional channels.
Disruptive innovation in politics and world events
I can sum this up very succinctly for you: President Donald Trump. Everywhere he goes, he upsets the status quo. It should not be a surprise to anyone. It’s not a surprise to me, and I’ll tell you why. The reason is that in 1987, I purchased his book, The Art of the Deal (Note 4), which was brand new at that time. Then I read it. With awe and amazement. Mind you, at that time, he was not a politician, just a very successful businessman. Let me quote the first two paragraphs of the first chapter of his book, and you will instantly recognize him as a disruptor:
“I don’t do it for the money. I’ve got enough, much more than I’ll ever need. I do it to do it. Deals are my art form. Other people paint beautifully on canvas or write wonderful poetry. I like making deals, preferably big deals. That’s how I get my kicks.
Most people are surprised by the way I work. I play it very loose. I don’t carry a briefcase. I try not to schedule too many meetings. I leave my door open. You can’t be imaginative or entrepreneurial if you’ve got too much structure. I prefer to come to work each day and just see what happens.”
After reading that, is anyone surprised by the way he operates as President? That he is a disruptor? He told us as much 39 years ago. If you have not read his book, I would recommend it. Politics aside, many could learn from this billionaire. Click on the link in Note 4 to get your copy.
Here are three examples in the last three weeks: Venezuela, Greenland, and Minnasota immigration crackdowns. Who does things this way? Disruptive innovators, that’s who. Let me list a few other examples of disruption: Iran, Panama Canal, Canada, and Europe. Pretty much wherever the President goes, he disrupts the status quo and whiplashes everyone around. I happen to believe he knows exactly what he is doing and what he wants, and it’s all part of the way he operates. He told us as much, “Most people are surprised by the way I work. I play it very loose.”
Have you ever been to a protest? They are loud and get attention, don’t they? Sadly, sometimes the emotion is so high that they can turn violent and cause people to break the law. They disrupt the calm and status quo.
Disruptive innovation in the home
Disruptive innovation is all around you in your home. Can you identify it? Let me give you a few examples:
Your two-year-old throws a temper tantrum in the middle of the grocery store, causing everyone to stare at you.
Your teenage daughter smart-mouthing you for no apparent reason other than she is a teenager.
·You are having a disagreement with your partner when suddenly it becomes emotional.
Oh, you recognize it now, eh? Yeah, think about your reaction to these events. Does the child get what they want to stop embarrassing you in public? Does Daddy cave to his daughter when she pops off? What will you do to soothe over marital issues with your partner? I think you will admit that more often than not, disruptive innovation is successful.
Summary
You can decide for yourself if you think disruptive innovation is a good thing or a bad thing. To people who prefer the status quo, who don’t like change, I can assure you that disruptive innovation and disruptors are not welcome in their lives. That said, just look around you and ask yourself if you have been a beneficiary of disruptive innovation. I’ll bet you have.
One final thought to leave you with…Being an initiator, participant, or bystander in disruptive innovation can be upsetting, stressful, and exhausting. Depending upon what stage you are in your life and what your aspirations are, it just may not be the thing for you. I’ve often said, almost tongue in cheek, that my ideal job would be to be the guy who sets umbrellas and chairs out on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I just imagine my day: Set the umbrellas and chairs out in the morning, do what I want all day, and then put the umbrellas up in the evening. It’s very low stress, and as far as I can tell, there is no threat of AI taking my job from me…
Now you have a few things to think about, don’t you?
That’s all for this week!
What’s in it for Me
If we want to get ahead in life, we need to be aware of the world around us and gain as much information as we possibly can. If you have not established written goals for your lifetime plan and are acting on them, I might suggest taking the Afterburner Success Partner course, so we can learn how to prioritize what’s really important to use. Or maybe read the book. Or both!
Call to Action
Purchase the books by clicking on the link in Notes 4 and 5 as mentioned above. Take the Afterburner Success Partners course
Recommended Resources
Buy and read the books The Art of the Deal, by Donald Trump (Note 4), and Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi (Note 5).
Up Next
Back to regular posting schedule.
Notes
Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on the sale of any of these recommended resources.
Disruptive Innovation, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disruptive_innovation
What is disruptive innovation?, Harvard Business Review: https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/McDonald_Rory_A04_What%20is%20Disruptive%20Innovation_182498a6-5391-4916-a38b-d14932db41a6.pdf
What is disruptive innovation? Definition and Examples Explained, Investopia:https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/disruptive-innovation.asp
The Art of the Deal, by Donald Trump: https://amzn.to/3Z2AA9h
Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/3IxEFgy